For nine days in October, the Celtic Colours International Festival is held each year to showcase the Island’s scenery as festival goers travel from venue to venue while the leaves change colour.

The festival fondly referred to by many as “ten days and nights without sleep” is celebrating fall, foliage and fiddles for its 21st year in Cape Breton.

"Whether it's folks from Cape Breton Island or away, you can just tell looking at the smiles on their faces that they're having the time of their life,” says the festival’s executive director, Mike MacSween.

The festival brings together talent from across the globe and Cape Breton artists who perform as many as six concerts a day.

This year the festival has 49 shows lined up, but often impromptu jam sessions off the stage become a big part of the atmosphere.

"Looping in a little bit of Abba music just to give a Celtic flair to it, it’s those kinds of spontaneous moments,” says the festival’s artistic director, Dawn Beaton.

A highlight for many this year is Heather Rankin’s first appearance at the festival in its history.

The golden voiced songstress from Mabou was once part of the famed ‘Rankin Family’.

Rankin performed with her siblings for more than 25 years and now she has recorded her own album.

"She's just one of many great examples of coming from very humble roots,” says Beaton.  “Understanding the culture she's a part of and bringing it to the world and she feels so at home to come back here and perform."

The list of honourary members of the Celtic Coulours International Festival is exactly two names long this year as Cape Bretoners remember the late, great 'Laird of Lake Ainslie,’ Allan J. MacEachen.

"Everybody, I think, has the desire to make sure that the wishes and work that Allan J. put into supporting and preserving our culture will continue on in future years.  I think we all have that bug and we're better off for it.

Organizers are promising extra Canadian artists at this year’s festival in honour of Canada 150.

Beyond musical performances, the festival also offers: workshops, presentations, demonstrations and lectures on Celtic history, music, dance, art, craft and community heritage.

Community meals are also held where festival goers break bread together and share home cooked meals.

The festival’s organizers are making a unique pledge to plant a maple tree in Cape Breton for every ticket sold.

The island-wide concerts kick off at Sydney’s Centre 200 on Oct. 6.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.